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Charleston, SC On The Move Internationally

I lost but have found this email from a friend of mine about a recent workshop she attended that took place in downtown Charleston. This town is certainly on the map with international companies due in large part to the coming of Boeing.  Have a read.

Wednesday, December 15, Charleston SC

Good morning Charleston and visiting movers and shakers. They were many of them at the Transportation Summit held today at the Mills House Hotel in downtown, chilly Charleston. The Metro Chamber of Commerce, The US Chamber of Commerce, Building America's Future Educational Fund and The Associated General Contractors of America presented this amazing forum. The buzz words of the day...transportation and infrastructure.

Wow! There was Mayor Joe Riley meeting, greeting, welcoming, commenting and being all things gentlemanly and wise. The keynote address was given by The United States Department of Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood. His mandate is to assess, determine and implement infrastructue and transportation needs for our country. Charleston rates attention as an both an important air and seaport. . Mayor Riley knows we need to do something to ensure we aren't choked by our increasing traffic and that we stay in the race to be the Southeast port of choice. Can anyone whisper.. Savannah-- as our certain competition.

The first panel was moderated by Rick Jerue, President of The Charleston Art Institute. He clearly noted that his students and staff need good roads, parking and public transportation. Panelist were asked and commented on issues that pertain to the City, State and port. Particularly discussed were the need for Speed Rails for the lowcountry or at the very least a commuter light rail. Mayor Riley was on this panel and advocates strongly for such service to ensure "Charleston's unique livability" status. Also discussed was the importance of dredging Charleston harbor to the depth necessary to provide "post panamax" conditions (increased cargo ship capacity).

Next up-- Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania spoke concerning the logistics of paying for transportation needs. The key word here was "leverage" as in leverage assets to pay for programs that involve infrastructure and transportation. Charleston's assets include location and available workforce.

The second panel, moderated by Governor Rendell was the one that made my brain light up in the "ah hah" mode. It was made up of George Bilicic, Vice Chairman of U.S. Investment Banking, Lazard Ltd., Tim Coy, Vice President and General Manager, The Boeing Company and Grant Holland, Director of Public-Private Initiatives, Wilbur Smith. Wow. Big guys, big tittles. High level national and international corporate executives. Their corporations have researched, investigated, advocated and committed to doing business in our area. They obviously see our resources as a positive and that provides us with leverage. That is the currency of innovation.

When these executives talked it was on a completely different level. It was like they had taken the Charleston ball and are running with it. Local business people are now living in their world. I understood for the first time that having corporations like Boeing, Southwest and Google here has moved our region onto another platform. Change has already happened. The Charleston area will grow. With growth comes new responsibilities. This summit today highlighted the issues we need to address. Let's get to work and get it done.

Kathleen Cassels